I have a very healthy looking calamondin with lots of flowers, unripe and ripe fruit and dark green leaves. For the past few weeks there is a sweet syrupy deposit on both the leaves and fruit. The plant is indoors at the moment but is usually taken out of doors and lives quite happily under the partial shade of a grape covered pergola. Our weather has eventually warmed up and I am thinking about taking it outside where it can be "washed" more easily both by nature and also me. Any thoughts about "syrup" and its cause and effect will help greatly as I would hate to lose a beautiful plant. Margaret
Is the ground underneath the grape vine sticky? If so then the substance is likely coming from the vine. Otherwise the problem likely lies with the calamondin. In either case the sticky material may be honeydew or excrement from a sap-sucking pest. Aphids and scale insects are the usual suspects.
Thanks for the reply Junglekeeper. The plant is still indoors at the moment so the problem may indeed be caused by an insect pest. I did not see any during a quick search but will now look more closely. The plant + pot are quite heavy and as I have to carry it downstairs to the garden I plan to do this after a strong cut of tea this afternoon! It is raining for the next few days and I hope that the deposit will be rinsed off and if there are no insects present will not return. Should I place it in semi-shade and then into full sun or leave it in the shade? I do not want to burn the leaves by going straight to full sun. This pre-supposed that we will get some sun this year as The Sunshine Coast is not living up to its name. Margaret
I suggest you wash your hands after inspecting the plant. Scale is difficult to detect in the early stages of infestation because of their minute size. It's a good idea to gradually acclimatize the plant to full sun.
An update. The plant is now outside and there is no sign of any of the liquid. I misted it when it was first put outside to wash off the deposit and it has not re-occurred but I am keeping a close eye on it. Have place it in semi-shade as you suggested Junglekeeper. Margaret
